Monday, August 21, 2006

Oil from sunken Philippine tanker impacts area

Oil from a sunken oil tanker near Guimaras island in the central Philippines is threatening a second island in the country's worst oil spill.

Officials said taht an international salvage crew, possibly from Singapore, is dus to arrive on the scene within a week.

Marine life is seen off the coast of Guimaras Island, central Philippines August 20, 2006. Disaster officials fear the area's coral reefs and marine life could be at risk after 200,000 litres of industrial oil seeped from a sunken tanker close to the island earlier this month. Picture taken August 20, 2006. NO SALES NO ARCHIVES EDITORIAL USE ONLY REUTERS/Greenpeace/Handout (PHILIPPINES)
Marine life off the coast of Guimaras Island, central Philippines on August 20, 2006. Leaking oil has caused severe damage to marine and coastal habitat in the area. REUTERS/Greenpeace/Handout photo via Yahoo News.

The Petron Corp tanker was carrying some 450,000 gallons of oil when it sunk in 3,000 feet of water. A "mousse-like" oil residue has damaged local marine parks, fishing grounds, mangroves and beaches.

Local government has advised villagers to set up improvised boons of bamboo poles and dried grass about a mile from the shoreline.